How to use Google Assistant on any Marshmallow device [with video tutorial]

Two days back we had posted a tutorial on how you can get Google Assistant to work on the Nexus 6P or any device running Android Nougat 7.0.

Now with the help of an Xposed module, Android N-ify, you can get Google Assistant on your Marshmallow device as well. The Android N-ify Xposed module aims at bringing the features from Android Nougat over to devices running Lollipop or Marshmallow. The list of features ported over from Nougat to the previous versions of Android include Android N style notifications, summary of the setting tiles in the settings menu and the quick settings panel in Android Nougat. The latest beta build of Android N-ify brings Google Assistant to all the Marshmallow devices. Sorry Lollipop users, there still ain't anything for you. Future builds of N-ify may bring Google Assistant to Lollipop as well, but you will have to wait and watch. Through the medium of this post, we will guide you through the steps you need to undertake to get Google Assistant working on your Marshmallow device.

The credits for this port of Google Assistant to Marshmallow go to Max Rumpf (Maxr1998) who was scrounging "through the source code of the Google app and managed to enable Google Assistant on Marshmallow just by hooking a few methods with Xposed". He then went on to add a commit to the GitHub repository of Android N-ify, through which Google Assistant ultimately reached to Marshmallow device.

Quoting on from our last post

Google had announced the Pixel smartphones, "Phones by Google", in an event on October 4. Of the multiple features the Pixel devices boast of, the flagship feature certainly was the Google Assistant, which had initially made it's debut with Google's messaging app Allo.

Pre-Requisites

A rooted device running Android Marshmallow

Xposed framework

Google app version 6.6.14.21 (or newer)

In case you are unfamiliar with the process of rooting, take the help of our guide to know more about rooting. You can follow this up by looking for your device's forums over on XDA-Developers which will guide you further on how you can root your device.

If you are rooted and have a custom recovery installed, but don't have the Xposed framework, then you can flash the Xposed framework by downloading it from here.

Refer to the video tutorial and the steps mentioned below to get started.

Video Tutorial

Steps

1. Install the latest N-ify Xposed module from here. After downloading the module, make sure you activate it in the Xposed Installer app and then by rebooting your device.2. Download the beta version of the Google App from APKMirror by clicking here.3. Use something like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher to access the activity com.google.android.apps.gsa.speech.setupwizard.Hot wordSetupWizardActivity4. Follow the on-screen instructions and hit finished.5. Now say Okay Google from anywhere and press 'do it later'.
6. Long pressing the home navigation bar button will launch Google Assistant.

Krittin Kalra is a 20 year old Android freak. Striving for passions, chasing down his dreams and living a life without regrets is his sole mantra. A bit moody, he also does custom ROM reviews for AndroGuider. Currently pursuing his B.Tech, he aspires to follow his heart.

How to use Google Assistant on any Marshmallow device [with video tutorial]
Reviewed by Krittin Kalra
on
10/13/2016 11:05:00 PM